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virginia citizens defense league
Defending Your Right to Defend Yourself
va-alert
Published 7/24/2026
3. Jay Jones says AR-15s aren’t protected using a disallowed interest balancing test and ask for delay on AWB lawsuits
As of July 21, there is a statewide temporary injunction against the “assault firearm” ban and magazine capacity limitation. Most, but not all, FFLs are selling AR-15s and magazines that hold more than 15 rounds again.
NOTE: should a court put a stay on the temporary injunction, sales will stop again.
Articles:
AR-15s Return to Virginia Shelves as Injunction Takes Effect (The Reload)
https://thereload.com/ar-15s-return-to-virginia-shelves-as-injunction-takes-effect/
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AR-15s and 20-Round Magazines Back on the Menu at Virginia Gun Shops (Bearing Arms)
We need to flood the ATF with comments on a series of important changes to some of the ATF’s rules. Here is an article on the importance of these comments: https://www.ammoland.com/2026/07/gun-owners-atf-comment-dockets/
Clicking on each title below will bring up more information and a “Comment” button near the top. The comment you see below each title is the comment I left on behalf of VCDL. You can copy/paste my comment or, much better, write your own comment.
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Clarifying Interstate Transportation of Firearms under the Gun Control Act
This rule is an important improvement for gun owners who are traveling interstate. The rule legally protects law-abiding gun owners during necessary stops to get gas, food, and even lodging while merely passing through a state on a trip.
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Fingerprint and Photograph Requirements for Firearms Applications
This rule is a definite improvement over the existing rule, reducing time and expense when applying for NFA item approval.
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Firearm Records Retention Periods
This rule helps to protect gun owners from the government creating a gun registry and the rule reduces the burden on FFLs because they won't have to keep records for an indefinite period of time.
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Removing Factoring Criteria for Firearms with Attached Stabilizing Braces
This rule change protects gun owners by removing confusing language.
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Revising Non-Over-the-Counter Firearms Transaction Requirements
This rule brings firearm purchasing into the 21st Century, allowing FFL customers the option of not wasting time and gas driving to an FFL for a firearm purchase.
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Revising Firearms Transaction Record
This rule change makes purchasing a firearm less tedious, but it unnecessarily requires the seller’s information for private sales.
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Firearms Transactions and Straw Purchases
This rule change makes important clarifications on what is considered a straw purchase.
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Defining `Willfully' for Firearms Violations
This rule change brings the rule into compliance with the definition of "willful" as meant in the law it implements.
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Interstate Transport and Temporary Export of National Firearms Act Firearms
This rule change removes unnecessary burdens from citizens who are traveling with NFA items.
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Revising Definitions of Adjudicated as a Mental Defective and Committed to a Mental Institution
This rule change correctly narrows who falls under the definition of mental defective, especially as it applies to improperly disarming veterans.
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Importing Dual-Use Frames, Receivers, or Barrels
This rule change gives American gun owners access to more frames, receivers, and barrels by permitting more varieties of such to be imported.
3. JAY JONES SAYS: "AR-15s aren’t protected" using a disallowed interest balancing test and ask for delay on AWB lawsuits
Virginia Says AR-15s Aren’t Protected “Arms”—Then Revives a Test SCOTUS Rejected (Ammoland)
https://www.ammoland.com/2026/07/virginia-ar-15-ban-not-protected-arms-crump-katz/
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AG Jones asks to delay all state cases on assault weapons ban until SCOTUS ruling (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
Delegate Tom Garrett will be a guest on the VCDL monthly virtual membership meeting this Sunday, July 26, at 8pm.
You can ask questions in the chat.
Links to join the meeting:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/2483031438843666
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZX61G7JXXg
Hampton Gun Show call for Volunteers, August 1 & 2, 2026
Hello, VCDL members in the Hampton Roads / Tidewater area! There will be a gun show in the Hampton Convention Center on August 1 & 2, 2026. (The previous show at this venue was back on June 20/21.)
If you wish to volunteer for a shift at the table, please send an email to
gunshows.hampton@vcdl.org letting us know which shift and which day you want (first come, first choice). No experience necessary! Just come out and have some fun talking to people about the VCDL.
Shift Schedule:
SATURDAY 1st
AM (0900-1300) (2 volunteers needed)
PM (1300-1700) (3 volunteers needed)
SUNDAY 2nd
AM (1000-1300) (2 volunteers needed)
PM (1300-1600) (1 volunteer needed)
Please keep in mind you must be a member to volunteer (if your membership has lapsed, you can renew at the show). Thanks in advance to all who help! We could not do what we do without you.
The Smyth Mountain Lake Pistol Shooting Association’s VCDL benefit match last Sunday raised $1,120! There were 50 shooters in the match and everyone had a great time, with challenging stages set up by Simon LeRay.
Many thanks to:
- SMLPSA for holding the match
- Sportsman’s Warehouse for sponsoring the match and furnishing prizes (Sportsman’s Warehouse has been a strong VCDL supporter for many years!)
- Simon LeRay for coordinating the match arrangements and laying out the stages
- Members Nat and Robbin Weigle, who donated FIFTEEN pizzas from Bella Italia pizza in Bedford and a variety of cookies. Robbin made the 45 minute drive to deliver the delicious pizzas and cookies to a very grateful group of shooters!
- VCDL statewide gun show coordinator John Gosney, who drove 3 hours each way to man the VCDL table
VCDL will have a picnic in Henrico County at the Osborne Landing Park, Shelter 1, on Sunday, August 16. VCDL members and the public are welcome!
Stay tuned for more details.
The U.S. Department of Justice has dropped its appeal of a permanent injunction against enforcement of the post office gun ban for members of either the Firearms Policy Coalition or the Second Amendment Foundation. The injunction covers present and future members of those organizations.
Articles:
Trump DOJ Abandons Appeal of FPC Post Office Gun Ban Victory
https://www.firearmspolicy.org/trump-doj-abandons-appeal-of-fpc-post-office-gun-ban-victory
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Feds drop fight to keep gun ban at post offices (MSN)
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/feds-drop-fight-to-keep-gun-ban-at-post-offices/ar-AA284WN6
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HISTORIC BREAKING NEWS! TRUMP DOJ ANNOUNCES MASSIVE 2A POLICY CHANGE! (Four Boxes Diner, Mark Smith, VIDEO)
https://youtube.com/watch?v=2-4nrar7VYk&is=yN2V1ptxu9pAjTW-
Finally, there is a circuit court split on AWBs! However, it doesn’t matter as SCOTUS has already taken two AWB cases without there being a split.
New Jersey’s AWB and magazine-capacity limitation has been struck down by the Federal Third Circuit Court of Appeals. Two of the concurring judges were appointed by President Biden! While that ruling does not affect Virginia, it is a really bad omen for AG Jay “two bullets” Jones.
Articles:
Breaking: Third Circuit Says Ban on 'Assault Weapons' and 'Large Capacity' Magazines Is Unconstitutional (Bearing Arms)
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Link to ruling:
https://www.firearmspolicy.org/cheeseman
Better late than never:
Jewish communities turn to firearms training amid rising antisemitism in the US (WTKR, VIDEO)
Fortunately for those in a restaurant in California, a CHP holder was armed and able to stop a knife attack in a gun-free zone!
California CCW Holder Stops Knife Attack, Exposes SB2’s Gun-Free-Zone Failure (Ammoland)
https://www.ammoland.com/2026/07/california-ccw-holder-stops-knife-attack-sb2/
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